GWENDOLYN SATCHELL, LCSW

I help people break free from trauma, find hope in difficult times, and build lives worth living. Whether you're struggling with painful memories, overwhelming emotions, grief, or feeling stuck, I offer proven approaches tailored to your unique journey. I specialize in EMDR for trauma and PTSD, DBT for emotional regulation, CBT for changing unhelpful thought patterns, and Christian counseling for those seeking faith-integrated healing. Through Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused techniques, we'll work together to identify your strengths and create meaningful change at your own pace. You don't have to navigate loss, anxiety, or life's hardest moments alone—I'm here to walk alongside you toward healing and renewed purpose.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and founder of The Essence Behavioral Health, LLC, where I'm dedicated to creating a safe, culturally affirming space for healing and growth. My journey in social work began in childhood, watching my parents serve as teachers in Hartford, CT, and finding my spiritual foundation at Shiloh Baptist Church. When my family moved to South Windsor in 1968, I experienced firsthand what it means to navigate predominantly white spaces as a person of color—lessons that shaped my life's calling.
My Mission
I envision a world where Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have access to mental health care that truly understands our experiences. Our communities face persistent disparities in mental health treatment, compounded by intergenerational stigmas that teach us to suffer in silence or rely solely on family and church. I'm here to break those barriers. My mission is to empower those affected by historical trauma, ongoing microaggressions, and the unique challenges of living in a society that often marginalizes our voices and experiences.
My Background
With over 30 years of diverse experience serving children, individuals, families, and elders, I bring both breadth and depth to my practice. I hold a BA in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University and an MSW with a concentration in Administration from UConn School of Social Work. My studies also took me abroad to the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, enriching my understanding of the global African diaspora. I became an LMSW in 2014 while working per diem with Wheeler Clinic's emergency mobile crisis team, and earned my LCSW in 2021.
What I Offer
I specialize in evidence-based therapies including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma, DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) for emotional regulation, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for transforming thought patterns, Solution-Focused Therapy for building on your strengths, and Motivational Interviewing to help you find your own path forward. Whether you're dealing with racial trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, or life transitions, I provide culturally responsive care that honors your identity and lived experience.
You belong here. Your story matters. Let's work together toward your healing.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses. Sonnet 4.5